The CEO’s New Baby

“Show me!” Of course, Kayla had known about the gift long before it was bought. In fact, she had been the one to choose it. She and Ryan worked like that. He was bad with choosing gifts, in fact, he was bad with anything involving shopping, so Kayla made sure to help him when it came to such things.

While Kayla tried to look surprised by the huge doll in the box, Ryan took his time to study the two girls in front of him. It had only been a few days, but he had missed them a lot. And seeing them in front of him, talking and laughing, as they studied the gift, made his heart well.

“Ryan!” It was his mother. Smiling, he turned his arms already extending to greet the woman. It didn’t take him long to notice his mom was sporting a new hair color.

This time around, she had gone on to try bright red short hair. He had to admit it, it was a change he was unsure of. But who was he to judge?

“I see you have a new look,” he joked, chuckling as he pulled away from the bear hug.

“Do you like it?” Ryan could swear he heard Kayla muffle a laugh behind him.

“It suits you.” What else was he to say? He had gotten used to his mother’s extravagant fashion. She was a high lady of the society, and never failed to miss an opportunity to show it.

“Come on now, it’s time to serve the cake. The children’s parents will be here soon.” And once again, Kayla saved Ryan from his mother. Meredith was already eying him deadly, sensing his sarcasm when it came to her new look.

Without hesitation, he moved to lift his daughter. “There you go.” Ryan kissed Meredith’s cheek as he walked past her and towards the crowd of excited kids.

“Your mom is already in the kitchen, dear,” Meredith smiled before she rushed after her son.

Soon, Kayla found herself walking through the crowd of kids, her hands holding firmly onto the pink platter. She could barely see in front of her, her entire vision being captured by the giant cake in her hands. The smell of the red frosting reached her nostrils making her oddly crave it. She wasn’t one to like strawberries, but as she carried the cake towards the table in the middle of the courtyard, she couldn’t help but fantasize about a large piece of cake.

Around her, there was a choir of voices singing out of sync. Kayla was afraid to lose focus and trip, but that did not prevent her from singing happy birthday to her only daughter. She had done it many times now, four to be exact, but this did not mean this time around was any less emotional.

On the contrary, every time Kayla felt more overwhelmed. Every word she pronounced made her relive all those moment along her daughter. She remembered the day she gave birth to her, the day she held her in her hands, and all those other moments. Looking around, watching her mother, Ryan, and Meredith, she could tell they were doing the same thing. Indeed, it was a touching moment that brought tears to their eyes.

Emily squealed as Kayla placed the strawberry-shaped cake on the table. She jumped from her father’s grasp and beside the blonde little boy in front of her.

“Happy birthday, Em,” the little boy said, right before he engulfed her in a hug. Kayla and the other adults around couldn’t help but burst out in a fit of laughter. They were simply too adorable.

“Come on, honey, make a wish,” Tanya said, as she placed a hand behind her granddaughter’s back.

Kayla had no idea what the little girl wished for, but she was more than sure she wished for something. Her little Emily would never waste a chance to make one. Slowly, she closed her eyes so tight, her little nose wrinkling right before she blew the candles out.

By the time the party ended, it was already night. The sun had settled a while ago leaving room for the moon and the darkness accompanying it. It was quiet inside the house, something that did not often happen. But then again, none of them were surprised, they had had a long day and everyone was too exhausted.

Ryan was happy to be back home. He lay next to his daughter in bed with a story book between his fingers. He was reading the last line and was more than eager to end the night there. He had spent time with Emily, but he was now eager to spend some with his wife too. He had missed her dearly and wanted to hold her after those nights away.

“The end,” he finally whispered, his eyes gazing at Kayla before looking back at Emily. She looked tired, but her little blue eyes were still wide and awake.

“I want another story, Daddy!” she said, her voice dripping with sleep.

“No, honey. You should really sleep,” Ryan said tenderly, his hand reaching for her cheek, brushing his thumb over her smooth skin before planting a kiss on her forehead.

“A short one. Please?” She was playing dirty, she knew the effect her puppy eyes had on him, and she was using that to her advantage.

“Which story do you want?” he sighed, a small smile creeping on the corner of his lips.

“Tell me how you and Mommy met.” Neither of them expected that. Emily had never showed much interest in that particular subject. But then again, they had to see it coming sometime. She was growing, questions were surely forming in the back of her mind constantly. She was a curious kid, just like her parents.

Kayla and Ryan found themselves looking at one another. She shrugged, unsure of what she should say. Kayla was more than grateful that Emily had caught Ryan by surprise, he was good at putting things together in an easy story, unlike her. She was a bad narrator and would have found herself caught in a maze without an end.

Sighing, Ryan turned towards Emily again and smiled, gulping before he started.

“Well, your mommy actually met Grandma first. Grandma was searching for a girl who could make your daddy happy, and when she saw your mommy, she knew she was perfect for him.” The story was brief, but it was the best he could do.

He and Kayla had met in a rather unfashionable manner. Their relationship had to go through several phases, and those phases could barely be explained to a kid. But Ryan had done a good job, he had managed to sum up the main aspect of their meeting.

“I am glad Grandma met Mom,” Emily said, her voice barely audible as she sank deeper into her blankets.

Kayla smiled as she stood up, approaching the little bed. She lowered and kissed her cheek, before whispering another ‘Happy Birthday’ in her ear. Ryan had already turned off the lights and was heading towards the door, his hand reaching for the tie that had been hanging loosely around his neck.